Legislation motivated by the awful loss at sea of two Tequesta teens last summer season advanced Wednesday in Florida House and Senate committees.

The procedures by Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta, and Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, are focused on encouraging boaters to buy an emergency position sign radio beacon (EPIRB) or individual locator beacon for their boat.

“We have a long ways to go,” Magar stated, noting that only about 38,000 of Florida’s 900,000 boaters bring either device. “I think the first step is to make people aware of the devices.”.

The measures (HB 427, SB 746) have actually been depicted as a legacy for Austin Stephanos, 14, and his pal Perry Cohen, 14. The two teens were lost after leaving Jupiter Inlet on July 24 in their 19-foot SeaCraft boat.

Their capsized boat was discovered 2 days later on, 67 miles off Daytona Beach. A U.S. Coast Guard search for the children ended July 31, followed by a private search that continued into early August.

The tale of the lost boys riveted limelights for weeks. But the focus gradually faded– except for the families and their friends most influenced.

Blu Stephanos, Austin’s father, came to Tallahassee last November to help Magar and Negron reveal the legislation. At the time, Stephanos stated, “I want to protect everyone from having to go through what I’m going through.”.

The legislation would offer a discount rate on state vessel registration costs to boaters who register an EPIRB or personal locator with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The charges vary by boat size, as would the discount rates.

The House and Senate expenses vary somewhat on identifying the discount, but it’s just a few dollars in any case. For boats between 16 feet and 26 feet, the most typical in Florida, the cost savings would cut the yearly base cost from $28.75 to $21.56, while Negron’s would minimize it to $20.40.

EPIRBs can cost as much as $1,000, while personal locator beacons can be purchased for about $250.

While the proposed discount rate is modest, advocates of the bills state they expect the state’s Department of Highway Safety & Motor Autos to promote the cost savings– bringing more attention to the value of locator gadgets and encouraging boaters to purchase them.

The legislation was authorized by the Home Highway & Waterway Safety subcommittee and later Wednesday by the Senate’s Transportation, Tourism and Economic Advancement budget plan panel.

The expenses have more committee stops on both sides prior to going to full votes in each chamber. But supporters, consisting of Palm Beach County commissioners, who have actually made the legislation a priority, have actually stated they do not foresee opposition ahead for the expenses.

“This is an incredible legacy for them to have,” Rep. Dave Kerner, D-Lake Worth, stated of the lost teens. “I know that it will save lives.”.

Source: www.mypalmbeachpost.com